Judge blocks new Wisconsin abortion law

MADISON, Wis. -- A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of a new Wisconsin law that bans doctors who lack admitting privileges at nearby hospitals from performing abortions.

U.S. District Judge William Conley granted the hold Monday evening after a hearing earlier in the day.

The restraining order will remain in place pending a fuller hearing July 17. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and Affiliated Medical Services filed a lawsuit Friday.

It alleged that the requirement would unconstitutionally restrict the availability of abortions in the state, violates the U.S. Constitution's due process guarantee and unconstitutionally treats doctors who perform abortions differently from those who perform other procedures.

The bill was introduced in the Legislature on June 4, passed nine days later and signed into law Friday by Gov. Scott Walker.